Ukraine crisis will affect national elections in Latvia, says official

The Ukraine crisis will impact Latvia's election results, former Foreign Affairs Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis has claimed.

Latvia goes to the election polls on October 4 with latest polls showing the Harmony party led by Riga mayor Nils Usakovs in front.

Kristovskis, a member of the Vienotiba (Unity) party, believes that conservative parties in Latvia representing national interests will fare better than in the previous elections due to the crisis in the Ukraine.

"I hope that those who are still undecided will realize that these elections are a question of Latvia's security." Kristovskis told the LETA news agency.

Kristovskis called on voters to vote for parties currently represented in Saeima as they have demonstrated their competence and experience during the crisis period.

The former defense minister also believes that the Russian-speaking electorate in Latvia have felt uneasy about Russia's actions in the Ukraine amid fears a Crimea style situation could happen in Latvia.

"The majority of these people are no radicals and do not want a war," says Kristovskis.

"Of course, it does not mean that they will vote for some of the Latvian parties. It is possible that fewer of these voters will participate in the elections."